Lippi: Concentration is key
Wednesday 8 September, 2004
Marcello Lippi admits Italy had Gigi Buffon to thank in Moldova, while the players note that concentration paved the way to success.
“The regret is we weren’t able to close up the game early on with that upright and other good scoring opportunities,” commented the Coach after their 1-0 win, “so we ended up running risks with Buffon brilliantly saving.”
Del Piero had also thumped the woodwork in the first half, while Aimo Diana missed two open goals, leaving the result in doubt until the final stages.
“After Saturday’s game, this is nonetheless a good performance that bodes well for the future,” added Lippi. “Del Piero’s goal was good for Italy, but he also needed it after a difficult period.”
The Juventus captain had been bitterly criticised in the press and by former Bianconeri teammates Fabrizio Miccoli and Marco Di Vaio, but answered his critics with this winning goal.
Italy have now picked up six points from two games in World Cup qualifying, all of it done without stars Francesco Totti, Antonio Cassano and Christian Vieri. Where will they fit when they return from injury?
“Let us enjoy these two victories and rest for a month, but world class players never cause problems.”
Gianluigi Buffon proved decisive with two particularly stunning reaction saves, one on the line.
“Nowadays there aren’t any easy games in international football,” said the goalkeeper, “although in a couple of occasions we suffered a bit too much. I did well, but was also lucky, as the ball got stuck between the post and my hand before it could roll over the line.”
The Juventus shot-stopper was also called into a decisive parry on a fierce free kick in the closing stages.
“It was a good free kick and very powerful, so I had very little time to react, but when I can help the team and the Coach I am happy. I feel good that I did my duty, though I’m a little more acerbic and upset when I don’t keep a clean sheet.”
The press in Italy was not particularly impressed with ‘only’ a 1-0 win against the minnows of the Group, but Buffon warns that this kind of attitude is what held the Nazionale back before.
“Before these matches the press treats these like training ground games, but we’ve been burned in the past and know you cannot face anyone with that attitude. We aren’t making that mistake anymore and that is also a good sign of maturity and improvement.”
“I was more nervous than usual before this game, as I know they can hold hidden dangers, especially if you don’t have the right concentration. So, to make up for that possible risk, I try to really gear myself up and stay totally focused.”
Buffon’s club teammate Alessandro Del Piero is in the limelight for all the right reasons after his winning goal and a difficult week.
“It is certainly an important goal for Del Piero, as he was looking for a decisive strike after all the pressure that has been placed on his shoulders. He found the best way to answer those critics and we always expect the best from Ale, because that is what he is capable of.”
The Azzurri Number 1 looked forward to the other Group 5 matches coming up, although with these two wins they are already stretching out a two-point lead over Slovenia.
“Italy rarely start a qualifying campaign with two wins on the trot,” noted Buffon, “but we have some difficult games coming up, especially against Slovenia, although Scotland and Norway away are also tricky situations.”
Aimo Diana was perhaps the guilty party when Italy failed to take the most of two golden scoring opportunities.
“I am not accustomed to playing in that support striker position,” explained the Sampdoria winger, “and after the break managed to sit back a bit more. Lippi asked me to give the forward line some more depth and give back-up to the forwards.”
Also in Group Five this evening, Norway were surprisingly held to a 1-1 home draw by Belarus, while Scotland played out a stalemate with Slovenia.
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